Jayawardene reasserts his thrill for the fight

Hamstrung by a hand injury, Mahela Jayawardene was forced to guts it out to make his 32nd Test century

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When Dinesh Chandimal fell hooking in the 11th over of the day, Bilawal Bhatti practically begged Misbah-ul-Haq for the ball. In the huddle, passing through at the end of the over, standing at his position at point, Bhatti made himself hard to miss.

His last three balls to Mahela Jayawardene had all been nicked or gloved behind the stumps, and now, an injured Jayawardene had arrived one position below his normal haunt. Bold, youthful Bhatti smelled blood.

When Misbah acceded a few overs later, Bhatti knew exactly what he would bowl. In the first innings in Abu Dhabi, Jayawardene had nicked a short one, was recalled thanks to a no-ball, then edged behind again immediately, as Bhatti pitched one up on off stump. It was the same yorker Bhatti tried first-up here. Jayawardene jammed his bat down and the ball caught the edge once more. This time it had struck enough willow to stay low to the ground and sped away for four.

Hurtling in, Pakistan's fastest bowler felt the batsman was still a victim in waiting. He was at the body at over 140kph, but Jayawardene defused him securely at first, then when he saw one pitched up, tried to cover drive him. He mistimed the ball so badly, vibrations in his bat handle forced his sore left hand off the bat in a flash. No winces or cries of anguish, but Bhatti knew he had hurt his man.

Next over, Bhatti determined, more pain should come. One at the waist first-up, but it was too far down leg and Jayawardene turned it fine with little discomfort. When Jayawardene got back on strike, Bhatti found his target. In the second innings in Abu Dhabi, one that reared off a length took the top of Jayawardene's right glove and floated to gully. Another lifter struck the same glove here, but the impact absorbed the ball's venom, and it fell dead, to the pitch. It wasn't the ailing hand Bhatti would have preferred to hit, but he stomped close to Jayawardene's grille nonetheless, to hurl a few words and stare.

Jayawardene may have been the one wearing stitches, but Bhatti was also hamstrung. The ball had zipped off the seam in the first two sessions of the previous day, but there was so little in it now, he sought to blast the batsman out, if he could not outdo him with movement. Bouncers whistled overhead as Jayawardene hunkered down.

There were certain shots he had resolved not to play because they hurt too much, but when one of Bhatti's missiles fired wide, Jayawardene climbed up instantly and slapped it behind point, in the air. There was little control neither in that shot, nor in several other aggressive cross-batted strokes in the day, but he chose the wide open spaces so his top hand would not be taxed by the effort.

"Initially I knew that I can't force anything," Jayawardene said. "I had to use the pace of the Pakistani bowlers, so I wasn't really trying to drive the ball. I was just punching gaps and rotating the strike, but anything to cut I was comfortable with using the pace, so I was waiting for those kinds of deliveries. Probably the limitations helped me because I had to change my whole game plan today according to that. Even with Saeed Ajmal I couldn't sweep him that well, because the wrist would twist. I didn't sweep him that much in this match."

Bhatti's onslaught subsided as lunch approached. He would come back close to tea, bringing an even faster, fiercer short barrage with him, but as in their first skirmish, Jayawardene ducked, dived, swerved and wore him down. When the second session ended, he had struck only one boundary in front of square - a calculated slog off Saeed Ajmal into the vacant leg side.

Whatever is said about the state of Jayawardene's reflexes at 36, or about his ability to counter the moving ball, his attritional triumph over Bhatti showcased an enduring head for battle.

Short on weapons today, but steeled by stress of his first-Test failures, he finished the day in a different universe of batting confidence from the one in which he had begun. In the 84th over Rahat Ali overpitched the second new ball and in his first truly elegant moment, Jayawardene pushed the ball through mid-on, clinging to the turf from bat to boundary, as only men in form can do.

Perhaps many will write off his 32nd hundred as just another ton in Asian conditions, as if Jayawardene should be embarrassed about his aptitude for playing spin and winning matches at home. But in a tour that has been about young players emerging for Sri Lanka, Jayawardene's thrill for the fight proved he remains as relevant as he has always been.

Thanks to see some good comments here. As an Indian, I wish our country men and Sri Lankan supporters talk cricket rather than throwing dirt. Pakistani supporters are far better than us. They speak relevant topics mostly. I stop commenting because of people like blade runner and flat track bully to name some. Give credit when due. Cheers to both neighbor cricket fans.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | January 10, 2014, 8:43 GMT

i think know we miss Ahmed sahzad in OD like naser jamshad .miss us in other format

POSTED BY
Nuwas
on | January 10, 2014, 8:41 GMT

@Bergsteiger wow mate ,that is truly some fantasy team, gotta be THE BEST

And SL is on top, wish Pak could at least go beyond SL's lead ,so that we could see more of this match. Herath proven his point already & lets see how our pacers do today considering the pitch has something for pacers today.

POSTED BY
Un_Citoyen_Indien
on | January 10, 2014, 8:09 GMT

@ Cannuck: Very balanced words. Wish a lot more fans were like you. Mahela Jayawardene is one of my favourite batsmen of all time. Heck I even like him better than Tendulkar (for what that's worth).

My Indo-Pak-Ceylonese All Time Fantasy Test Team (Let's call it the IPC-XI):

The only other opener I considered was Virender Sehwag. But I'd take Jayawardene's technical polish over Sehwag's 'devil may care' attitude any day of the week. Javed Miandad narrowly missed out because I believe Younis Khan is a more accomplished batsman, especially in the 3rd and 4th innings. Chaminda Vaas lost out to Kapil Dev because of Kapil's superior batting skills.

This team could take on ANY team, on ANY Pitch, ANY day of the week.......

POSTED BY
stormy16
on | January 10, 2014, 6:14 GMT

Sounds like another under pressure master class from Mahela!

POSTED BY
android_user
on | January 10, 2014, 5:38 GMT

a classical exhibition of a classy player.tnx Mahela go fo your double century

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2014, 5:28 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet, Well after the South African tour I also changed my views about Indian cricketers, I think it is better that every team around the world has some explosive players who can turn the tides at some point. I was tired of watching one team continuously grabbing every trophy that comes in their way. Better players better cricket and better pleasure!

POSTED BY
KingOwl
on | January 10, 2014, 4:05 GMT

Brilliant knock under pressure. These are the knocks that show the difference between the good and the great. I thought time was up for Mahela. But this knock shows that he still has fight in him.

POSTED BY
Rufus_Fuddleduck
on | January 10, 2014, 3:26 GMT

Class can't be denied its outing. That too with one hand and Mahela's practically neutered Pakistan's innings on his own, leaving his colleagues to create a good lead without pressure. @Cricinfo editorial - please do not eulogise him now. Do check out the previous reference to the benefits of leaving silken-touch players alone. Thanks Mahela for the timely boost

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2014, 2:46 GMT

Mahela is majestic.Ask many pundits of the game like Mahinda Wijesinghe,Aravinda,Rameez and so on,he is a master artist.It is hurting to read some negative comments.Mahela showed his determination with an injured finger.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | January 10, 2014, 8:50 GMT

Thanks to see some good comments here. As an Indian, I wish our country men and Sri Lankan supporters talk cricket rather than throwing dirt. Pakistani supporters are far better than us. They speak relevant topics mostly. I stop commenting because of people like blade runner and flat track bully to name some. Give credit when due. Cheers to both neighbor cricket fans.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | January 10, 2014, 8:43 GMT

i think know we miss Ahmed sahzad in OD like naser jamshad .miss us in other format

POSTED BY
Nuwas
on | January 10, 2014, 8:41 GMT

@Bergsteiger wow mate ,that is truly some fantasy team, gotta be THE BEST

And SL is on top, wish Pak could at least go beyond SL's lead ,so that we could see more of this match. Herath proven his point already & lets see how our pacers do today considering the pitch has something for pacers today.

POSTED BY
Un_Citoyen_Indien
on | January 10, 2014, 8:09 GMT

@ Cannuck: Very balanced words. Wish a lot more fans were like you. Mahela Jayawardene is one of my favourite batsmen of all time. Heck I even like him better than Tendulkar (for what that's worth).

My Indo-Pak-Ceylonese All Time Fantasy Test Team (Let's call it the IPC-XI):

The only other opener I considered was Virender Sehwag. But I'd take Jayawardene's technical polish over Sehwag's 'devil may care' attitude any day of the week. Javed Miandad narrowly missed out because I believe Younis Khan is a more accomplished batsman, especially in the 3rd and 4th innings. Chaminda Vaas lost out to Kapil Dev because of Kapil's superior batting skills.

This team could take on ANY team, on ANY Pitch, ANY day of the week.......

POSTED BY
stormy16
on | January 10, 2014, 6:14 GMT

Sounds like another under pressure master class from Mahela!

POSTED BY
android_user
on | January 10, 2014, 5:38 GMT

a classical exhibition of a classy player.tnx Mahela go fo your double century

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2014, 5:28 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet, Well after the South African tour I also changed my views about Indian cricketers, I think it is better that every team around the world has some explosive players who can turn the tides at some point. I was tired of watching one team continuously grabbing every trophy that comes in their way. Better players better cricket and better pleasure!

POSTED BY
KingOwl
on | January 10, 2014, 4:05 GMT

Brilliant knock under pressure. These are the knocks that show the difference between the good and the great. I thought time was up for Mahela. But this knock shows that he still has fight in him.

POSTED BY
Rufus_Fuddleduck
on | January 10, 2014, 3:26 GMT

Class can't be denied its outing. That too with one hand and Mahela's practically neutered Pakistan's innings on his own, leaving his colleagues to create a good lead without pressure. @Cricinfo editorial - please do not eulogise him now. Do check out the previous reference to the benefits of leaving silken-touch players alone. Thanks Mahela for the timely boost

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2014, 2:46 GMT

Mahela is majestic.Ask many pundits of the game like Mahinda Wijesinghe,Aravinda,Rameez and so on,he is a master artist.It is hurting to read some negative comments.Mahela showed his determination with an injured finger.

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 10, 2014, 2:02 GMT

@Drak Fruy - One has to acknowledge when one was wrong. mahela did play a great knock yesterday.

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 10, 2014, 1:52 GMT

I was wrong to criticize Mahela the other day. Today he showed what sort of a master batsman he is with this century, with an injured hand as well. Makes the century worth even more on this seaming pitch.

POSTED BY
EvoRyder
on | January 9, 2014, 22:31 GMT

Sl should bat out much of day three and maybe get the pakistanis to bat sometime after tea. Sl should really try and avoid having to bat again since it can be pretty tricky batting on the last day on this pitch. Maybe a lead of about 350 should be enough if at all pakistanis end up putting up a fight.

POSTED BY
Cannuck
on | January 9, 2014, 21:22 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet: Kudos to you man for that. It takes lot of guts & says a lot about a person when he can admit he was wrong. Wish more people from ur country were like you (as well as mine, who engage in silly arguments with stats & numbers). I stop commenting here regularly basically because of that. But pleasure to see unbiased comments like yours. Even my own SL countrymen should learn from this, & stay relevant to the topics, & unbiased when commenting. We all love our country & players but also respect others. Also stop bringing ur narrow-minded hatred towards our own players. Just cause there are young blood doing well in SL domestic doesn't mean all of them are world class. Our Domestic league is no County, Sheffield or Ranji. So relax & let them LEARN, & don't forget what seniors have done, & their value even today! It's bad SLC admins are crooked, but when fans act the same way we have no hope!

POSTED BY
ygkd
on | January 9, 2014, 20:44 GMT

Saeed is the best spinner in the world. Junaid is a real talent. Mahela's fighting ton against a good bowling attack, whilst injured, outside SL and following Pakistan's first innings of not much at all - if that sort of thing doesn't convince the knockers that the flat-track-bully tag he has somehow attracted is undeserved, then surely nothing ever will.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2014, 19:51 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet, Dude is that really you? Great seeing you having pleasant thoughts about Sri Lanka or Mahela for that matter. Kudos!

POSTED BY
Ellis
on | January 9, 2014, 18:00 GMT

Mahela remains a top class batsman, much to the chagrin of his detractors especially those in Sri Lanka. A hundred with basically one hand is not too shabby. Perhaps those in Sri Lanka who call for his retirement will recognize class when they see it. It is good to have youngsters in the team but only if they are talented and consistent. Not just because they are young. Too many one inings wonders have been boosted in Sri Lanka only to fail at the International level. It will be a long time before Sri Lanka produces a batsman of Mahela's class.

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 9, 2014, 17:53 GMT

I was wrong to criticize Mahela the other day. Today he showed what sort of a master batsman he is with this century, with an injured hand as well. Makes the century worth even more on this seaming pitch.

POSTED BY
jerryman
on | January 9, 2014, 17:29 GMT

Well played mahela & kaushal .. Cannot be complacent .. will need to get another 150 + tmrw to take a lead of 300+ to be in a position to push for victory .. next 2 sessions tomorrow can decide the outcome of the match .. Must consolidate and accumulate and try to score tmrw at about 3-4 runs an over .. batting on the 5th day will not be easy as the wicket is most likely to take spin and Ajmal is world class..
Also Younis Khan and Misbah have the potential to score 100 s as well . Good luck lions..
Matthews and Jayawardena should try to see the 1st session tmrw without losing wickets .. That can be the key and deciding factor ..

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
jerryman
on | January 9, 2014, 17:29 GMT

Well played mahela & kaushal .. Cannot be complacent .. will need to get another 150 + tmrw to take a lead of 300+ to be in a position to push for victory .. next 2 sessions tomorrow can decide the outcome of the match .. Must consolidate and accumulate and try to score tmrw at about 3-4 runs an over .. batting on the 5th day will not be easy as the wicket is most likely to take spin and Ajmal is world class..
Also Younis Khan and Misbah have the potential to score 100 s as well . Good luck lions..
Matthews and Jayawardena should try to see the 1st session tmrw without losing wickets .. That can be the key and deciding factor ..

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 9, 2014, 17:53 GMT

I was wrong to criticize Mahela the other day. Today he showed what sort of a master batsman he is with this century, with an injured hand as well. Makes the century worth even more on this seaming pitch.

POSTED BY
Ellis
on | January 9, 2014, 18:00 GMT

Mahela remains a top class batsman, much to the chagrin of his detractors especially those in Sri Lanka. A hundred with basically one hand is not too shabby. Perhaps those in Sri Lanka who call for his retirement will recognize class when they see it. It is good to have youngsters in the team but only if they are talented and consistent. Not just because they are young. Too many one inings wonders have been boosted in Sri Lanka only to fail at the International level. It will be a long time before Sri Lanka produces a batsman of Mahela's class.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2014, 19:51 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet, Dude is that really you? Great seeing you having pleasant thoughts about Sri Lanka or Mahela for that matter. Kudos!

POSTED BY
ygkd
on | January 9, 2014, 20:44 GMT

Saeed is the best spinner in the world. Junaid is a real talent. Mahela's fighting ton against a good bowling attack, whilst injured, outside SL and following Pakistan's first innings of not much at all - if that sort of thing doesn't convince the knockers that the flat-track-bully tag he has somehow attracted is undeserved, then surely nothing ever will.

POSTED BY
Cannuck
on | January 9, 2014, 21:22 GMT

@VKohlitheGraet: Kudos to you man for that. It takes lot of guts & says a lot about a person when he can admit he was wrong. Wish more people from ur country were like you (as well as mine, who engage in silly arguments with stats & numbers). I stop commenting here regularly basically because of that. But pleasure to see unbiased comments like yours. Even my own SL countrymen should learn from this, & stay relevant to the topics, & unbiased when commenting. We all love our country & players but also respect others. Also stop bringing ur narrow-minded hatred towards our own players. Just cause there are young blood doing well in SL domestic doesn't mean all of them are world class. Our Domestic league is no County, Sheffield or Ranji. So relax & let them LEARN, & don't forget what seniors have done, & their value even today! It's bad SLC admins are crooked, but when fans act the same way we have no hope!

POSTED BY
EvoRyder
on | January 9, 2014, 22:31 GMT

Sl should bat out much of day three and maybe get the pakistanis to bat sometime after tea. Sl should really try and avoid having to bat again since it can be pretty tricky batting on the last day on this pitch. Maybe a lead of about 350 should be enough if at all pakistanis end up putting up a fight.

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 10, 2014, 1:52 GMT

I was wrong to criticize Mahela the other day. Today he showed what sort of a master batsman he is with this century, with an injured hand as well. Makes the century worth even more on this seaming pitch.

POSTED BY
VKohlitheGraet
on | January 10, 2014, 2:02 GMT

@Drak Fruy - One has to acknowledge when one was wrong. mahela did play a great knock yesterday.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2014, 2:46 GMT

Mahela is majestic.Ask many pundits of the game like Mahinda Wijesinghe,Aravinda,Rameez and so on,he is a master artist.It is hurting to read some negative comments.Mahela showed his determination with an injured finger.